Rockettes Kick Off Christmas With Traffic-Stopping Event In Midtown

Santa Claus and the Radio City Rockettes perform on 6th Ave. August 14, 2014. (credit: AFP PHOTO/Don Emmert/Getty Images)

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) — The calendar says August, but that didn’t stop Santa Claus from visiting midtown Manhattan and snarling a section of Sixth Avenue, much to the bafflement of tourists and the frustration of drivers forced to idle their vehicles.

Father Christmas, along with 15 Rockettes costumed as rag dolls, stood on a Radio City Music Hall porch on Thursday as 12 Rockettes dressed as toy soldiers marched on the street below to perform the “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.”

The classic dance number has been a part of the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular” since 1933.

Rockettes And Santa Celebrate "Christmas In August"Pedestrians watch as Santa Claus and the Radio City Rockettes perform on 6th Ave. August 14, 2014. (credit: AFP PHOTO/Don Emmert/Getty Images)

Rockettes And Santa Celebrate "Christmas In August"Santa Claus and the Radio City Rockettes perform on 6th Ave. August 14, 2014. (credit: AFP PHOTO/Don Emmert/Getty Images)

Rockettes And Santa Celebrate "Christmas In August"The Radio City Rockettes and Santa Claus pose for photos inside Radio City August 14, 2014. (credit: AFP PHOTO/Don Emmert/Getty Images)

“It’s so fun for us to get to perform something on the street in front of Radio City that the Rockettes have been doing for years and years,” Nicole Baker, a 9-year veteran of the dance company, told 1010 WINS.

It was all a part of the annual “Christmas In August” event.

The 6-minute promotional stunt — complete with a belching snow machine — was for “The Radio City Christmas Spectacular,” which starts Nov. 7.

“Merry Christmas!” said Santa. “And I want is to see you all at the show this year.”